Whitnee's journey with Christ

Growing up you would hear people say, “you can be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it.” You would hear people say, “reach for the stars.”All of my hopes and dreams were shot down many times, and I was faced with what I thought was reality for so long. The reality of never being anything, never going anywhere, and never amounting to nothing. I did all the “right things”, tried to always lend a helping hand, always giving of myself and seeing others happy but I never truly claimed happiness for myself-until I started living in my purpose. As a young struggling adult, sometimes it was easier just to escape back to my childhood…back to those dreams.

I was just a little girl that used to play in the sand, play with ants, caterpillars and roly polys. I was the little girl that would lie down on the grass looking up to the sky making shapes and images out of the clouds. One could say I had a vivid imagination. I always loved to day dream sometimes to the point I wanted to indulge in those dreams and make it all a reality. Cherished aspirations and huge ambitions! Like Biggie, “It was all a dream,” until God put the right people in my life.

As I write today’s message I am so full of emotion so bear with me; BUT GOD! I thank God for the network of people surrounding me that lift me up, that push me to get everything I work hard for and deserve, I thank God for people who doubt me or even hate on me because it no longer tears me down but it motivates me, I thank God for practical support, the scriptural knowledge and wisdom of many that I have grown to admire and lean on, and I thank God for my sisters and brothers in Christ that welcome me and invite my family and I into community.

I came back from a much needed break from the day to day routine and when Tuesday came around, I hit the ground running!

I had a plan! I had a goal! I was so happy that God gave me the wisdom to ask for help to reach my goals and willing volunteers to execute the plan. And I had a vision! Everything was all good but the enemy saw a crack in my plan and he set out to kill, steal, and destroy yesterday while working in Dolly’s House. Without going into detail, let’s just say “I was down for the count”, because I allowed my human emotions to get the best of me.

Do you remember the story in the Bible when Jesus walked on water? If my memory serves me correctly the Book of Matthew talks about this. One of my all time favorite scriptures from my old Pastor used the imagery of Peter in the boat when Jesus walked on water. Gosh I wish I could find my notes from that sermon because it was powerful. The gist of it is that Jesus told Peter not to be afraid, He told him to take courage because He was with him. Okay I had to go find the Scripture because it was going to get on my nerves if I did not find it. Read Matthew 14:22-34 for context. In verse 29 it reads: “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on water towards Jesus, But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and begin to sink. “Save me, Lord!” He shouted. As Scripture went on, the Disciples witnessed Jesus was really who He said He is- the news spread and it says that soon people were bringing all of the sick people from all around to be healed.

Yesterday I had one of those “Peter in the boat moments.” You know that saying, “it’s not what you say but how you say it.” I was blinded by the “mess” that I didn’t see the message. I admit when I’m wrong and when I missed the mark and so this morning, as humbly as I knew how I had to send a message of apology to someone/people that I admire and hope if God spares my life I can be as impactful, meaningful, and as influential to the community and God’s kingdom as they area. The focus and end result was always THE MISSION and THE VISION…and so yesterday was a time to reflect, have a moment of grief, cry a little BUT ultimately get back to THE MISSION!

What do the words Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai, El Shaddai, El Elton, El Olam, and El Roi all have in common? These are all names the Bible uses for God. These names speak on the character of God in various ways but ultimately they are still “titles if you may” of God- another example Jehovah.

God spoke to me so beautifully last night and this morning. I heard God speak through the mouths of 8 people (I will not disclose their names but they know who they are) who reminded me that it would all work out. I’m encouraged this afternoon to know that despite our differences, it’s still ONE MISSION…one body, one spirit. We all have different functions and different parts as the hands and feet of Jesus BUT it is ONE BODY OF CHRIST!

The enemy doesn’t want us to live together in unity. He doesn’t want us to be good and decent people. He wants us to fight, fuss, bigger, and have confusion in the church, on the job, in our homes, in the streets, and in our families. He wants us to use color, race, religion, ethnicity, social status, and all of this stuff to cause division amongst God’s children.

So the enemy that tried to kill, steal, and destroy the vision God gave to me in the form of Dolly’s House I say, “GO TO HELL!” You might have thought you won the battle but I STAND FIRM and say, “nah bruh the Lord still got the glory.” I’m not one to carry a grudge, I’m not one to stay mad and bitter, I’m not one to back down from a fight, and I’m dern sure not going to run at the sight of opposition because I believe in THE MISSION! And to the enemy we going to denounce your attempts and speak in faith. Read Galatians 3:23-26.

Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. 
Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave nor free, male and female. For you all are one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. 

So on the 16th day of April in the year 2026 I stand tall and firm and shout from the top of the hills I am no longer that girl with just a dream, I am no longer that naive, passive person people used to try and walk all over, I am no longer than person that feels like I’m a nobody, that will never be nothing or amount to anything NO I AM A STRONG, BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN WHO IS A CHILD OF GOD FIRST, WHO KNOWS WHAT MY PURPOSE IS AND WHO ACCEPTED THE ASSIGNMENT A LONG TIME AGO. I AM THAT BLACK WOMAN THAT GOES TO A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE CHURCH BUT KNOW WHY GOD CALLED ME TO THAT CHURCH. I AM THE WOMAN THAT HAD TO LOOSE ALMOST EVERYTHING AND EXPERIENCE POVERTY WHERE I STOLE JUST TO FEED MY KIDS AND USE THAT PAIN TO LIVE OUT A MISSION IN HONOR OF MY DEAD MOTHER WHO TAUGHT ME TO USE MY GIFT AND TALENTS FOR GOD’S GLORY! I WILL STAND FIRM AND FIGHT THIS BATTLE WITH FAITH WITH MY BLACK SKIN THAT I AM PROUD OF AND I WILL BRIDGE THE GAP AND BE THAT PEACEMAKER TO LET OTHERS WHO HAVE COME FROM MY STRUGGLE, COME FROM BEING OSTRACIZED, CRITICIZED, AND TORN DOWN WHILE FEEDING THEM, CLOTHING THEM, AND WRITING TO HEAL THE WOUNDS AND REMOVE THE LIES THAT FOLKS TRIED TO TELL THEM AND HAVE THEM BELIEVE ABOUT THEMSELVES. So again, I thank God for the message and I thank Him for the messenger.

Please do not get lost in thoughts trying to figure out if this message is about race, if I’m throwing shade, or if it is a subliminal message (addressing the elephant in the room) ITS NOT!!! Today’s message is about YOU AND ME coming together despite our differences and helping folks hear the good news, know they are loved and welcomed, and about the command from the Great Commission. The Bible tells us to go out and make disciples of ALL nations.

To my church family I thank EACH OF YOU for understanding the mission and accepting the assignment. I thank you for understanding that what we do in and out of the church should bring glory and honor to God and when we mess up He forgives and so should we, spreading the Good News, talking about God’s love and gift of salvation, and showing love to all. This is my public apology if I went astray and distracted and didn’t do my part to help the Body of Christ or didn’t stand firm enough to jeopardize the integrity and dignity of what Dolly’s House was intended to be.

Today’s Scripture lesson comes from Romans 10 verses 14 and 15. It talks about the requirements of sending, preaching and hearing. God is sending us out in various communities to speak and preach the Good News not just to the people in our household, our inner circles, or those within our congregation…He is wanting us to speak to folks from different nations who don’t look and speak like us…He wants us to shine His light in a world that is dark and cold. I learned a lesson about reconciliation, persevering, ridicule, what being an Ambassador for Christ looks like (Debbie), and what you may endure while responding to God’s call all while tasked with executing a plan to welcome God’s children.

In closing, maybe you were that boy or girl that used to dream and never thought it would become a reality. News flash: it’s not all a dream, you truly can have your cake and eat it too! Those dreams could be God’s calling on your life!

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”